Florence Nightingale

Florence was born in Italy to a wealthy, and well connected, British family. She was the youngest of two daughters who were raised on their family’s estate in Derbyshire, England. For the era, her father was fairly progressive and  believed his daughters should receive an education. Therefore, he taught them history, mathematics, philosophy, languages and more. Both girls were smart but Florence had a keen mind for data analysis and excelled in academics.

From an early age it was evident that Florence had an affinity for caring for others. She often visited the poor and sick in the village near her home. By the time she was 16, Florence was certain she had discovered her calling. The only problem was the lack of support from her family. They believed a young woman of her class should marry a man of means to ensure her social standing, not take on the work of a lowly laborer. While Florence may have been shy, even awkward, her will and passion was strong. Consequentially, she turned down a marriage proposal, rejecting the traditional role of an elite woman in the Victorian Era, and eventually enrolled as a nursing student in Germany.

Having devoted herself to study the art and science of nursing, she returned to London in the early 1950’s to work as a nurse. While volunteering at a Middlesex hospital battling an outbreak of cholera, it became evident to Florence that unsanitary conditions further spread the disease. The young nurse focused on improving hygiene practices and sanitation thereby successfully reducing the death rate at the hospital. This challenge was just the beginning compared to what awaited Florence during the Crimean War.